Hand actuated dispenser pump



"D" F. BACHELLER HAND ACTUATED DISPENSER PUMP Filed oct. v12, 1948 No'v.3, 1953 Patented Nov. 3, 1953 HAND ACTUATED DISPENSER PUMP D FlaviusBacheller, Glendale, Calif., assigner to Pump-It Incorporated, acorporation of California Application October 12, 1948, Serial No.54,084 7 Claims. (ol. 222-321) The application refers to dispenser pumpsand particularly hand-actuated pumps which are found to be especiallysuitable for pumping thick liquids from containers in the nature ofbottles. The device has had considerable acceptance in the dispensing oftomato catsup of the customary heavy consistency from conventionalcatsup bottles.

In the handling of material of the nature of tomato catsup in order thatit may be successfully dispensed from the original bottles in which itis sold the dispensing device must be one not only capable of handling aheavy liquid of this type but also one which Will not readily becomeclogged after remaining unused for a period of time. The device must befurther one which will operate freely under all circumstances withoutsticking.

Tomato catsup when packed in narrow-necked bottles has a tendency tocake at the neck of the bottle to such an extent that if the dispenseris to operate successfully the thick liquid should be drawn from thelower level of the bottle. It is also highly advantageous to have thestructure one in which the use of metal is dispensed With as much aspossible so as to avoid any deteriorating eiect of seasonings or otheringredients of oatsup upon the dispenser parts. A number of dispensingpumps have been attempted for handling liquid of this general variety,but these have not been without a number of objections. Althoughoperating successfully at certain times, the prior pumps haveexperienced a tendency to stick or to lose the necessary vacuum inoperation under certain conditions suiiicient to render .l

them too undependable for general acceptance.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new andimproved dispenser pump which is particularly smoothk and easy inoperation and wherein binding and sticking of the moving parts of thepump has been reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improveddispenser pump which is ,certain in its operation under allcircumstances,

wherein the moving parts, while permitting unrestricted freedom ofmovement, nevertheless maintain a sufficiently smooth contact so that aproper amount of vacuum is always present to operate the pump andwherein there is eliminated any tendency to score the walls of the` pumpinterior even though they may be made of relatively soft material.

A further object of the invention is to provide -a new and improvedmanually operated dispenser pump for containersin the nature of tallbottles wherein an inlet tilted to the bottom corner of the bottle isreadily maintained in proper alignment with a spout through which thecontents of the bottle are dispensed.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide amanually actuated dispenser pump for narrow-necked bottles, parts ofwhich are maintained at a substantial minimum number and so designedthat the fabrication and assembly is productive of a device relativelyinexpensive in construction without there being experienced anyimpairment in the einciency of operation of the device thoughinterrupted by relatively long periods of disuso.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of thedevice whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter setforth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a Vertical sectional vieW of the dispenser pump shown in aposition ready for operation in a bottle.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the washerportion of the piston in the position assumed during a downward stroke.y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinally sectional view showing theposition of a washer on the piston during an upward stroke.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a washer used in the pump.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional vew of a modified typeof structure :for the pump cylinder. f

This application is an improvement on my application Serial No. 754,091,led June 12, 1947, now Patent No. 2,547,109, dated April 3, 19.51.

The production and sale of hand-actuated dispensers suitable for use indispensing foods Vin the nature of tomato catsuprequires ythat thedevice be one of such simple construction and operation that it can beproduced at a relatively low cost. -Moreoven because of the limited areaof the neck of the'average bottle the dimensions 'of the pump need berestricted suiiiciently to operate inthe neck of the container withoutimpairment of any smoothness or elliciency of oper- Vfit into recesses34 ation, The dispenser pump must not only be successful as a means ofdispensing all of the contents of the container down to the last ounce,but must also include structure which serves to properly mount thedispenser on the bottle, and, at the same time, seal the contents withinthe bottle without disturbing operation of the dispenser. K

In the embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention, there is pictureda conventional style vessel or container I herein taking the form of theaverage bottle used for packing tomato catsup. The bottle customarilyhas a relatively narrow neck II, a body portion I2 relatively highv iproportion to the diameter and a bottom I3. The neck ordinarily isprovided with ridges upon which a cap may be pressed, although on some'occasions, threads are substituted for annular ridges.

The dispenser herein taking the form of a manually-actuatedv pumpincludes a pump' cyl- Inder I5, an inlet tube I6, a pump piston I1 and aspout I8. A cap I9 having therein a rubberlike ring is used for mountingthe pump on the topkof the bottle and for sealing the contents in thebottle whenever the pump is in' place.

The inlettube in the embodiment illustrated is bent at so that anoff-set end 26 is adapted to reach into the corner of the bottle orother containerl formed at the junction of the bottom I3` with the sidewall I2.

The pump cylinder includes an ,upper barrel portion 21 and a lowerbarrel portion 28'. The inlet spout is normally fixed in its position inthe lower barrel portion 28. Als'o in the lower barrel portion is aninlet passage 29 communicating with a pump chamber 98. At the bottom ofthe pump chamber Suis a valve retainer 3i which has a iix'ed position inthe bottom of the chamber and which is designed to hold in operativeposition a gravity-responsive check valveelement 32. When the valveretainer is irnxposition there is provided a limited movement for thevalve element between` a valve closing position and a valve openingposition. A

To further satisfy one of the purposes of the invention the valveretainer is formed with projections 33 extendingtherefrom and adapted tol formed at the'junction of the upperk barrel portion and the lowerbarrel portion. The design is such that the barrel in its entirety maybe cast from s ome one of the common commercial plastics. During thecasting the recesses 34 may be formed and a wall 35 of the chamber givena somewhat tapered form tapering inwardly from the outer end of thechamber toward the inner end. I

The pump piston I1 is preferably tubular in form and comprises an outer`part 40 and an inner part 4I. An examination of Figures 3 and 4 willreveal that the outer part 48 has an annular recess 42 at the innerendwof fixed breadth and depth and that the part 4I has a recess 43 atthe upper end on the outer circumference also of fixed depth andbreadth. The relationship of the recesses in the parts is such that theparts t telescopingly together as illustrated in Figues 1, 3 and 4 andin fitted position provide an open annular recess 44 of fixed breadthand depth. In the open annular recess 44 there is positioned a pumpwasher 45 of specialsize and form. As best illustrated in 'Figure 6, thepump washer may have an upper nat face 48' and a lower parallel nat face41. An outer surface or wall 48 of the washer is pitched substantiallyat an angle so that a relatively sharp or feather edge 49 may be formedat the junction of the wall 48 with the fiat face 46.

It can be noted that, by reference to Figures 3 and 4, the thickness ofthe washer is substantially less than the breadth of the open annularrecess 44. Moreover the diameter of an aperture 58 in' the washer isappreciably greater than the diameter of the bottom of the open annularrecess 44. Also the diameter of a line tracing the circumference of thesharp edge 49 is greater thanv the internal diameter of the chamber 35at all positions throughout the range of operation of the piston. Aspreviously noted the wall 35' of the chamber' 30 is tapered, said taperbeing shown in exaggerated form in Figures 3 and 4. The taper, however,necessitates making certain that the diameter of the sharp edges issufficient to Contact the wall of the chamber in every position ofpiston operation. Because of the taper the feather' edge on the washeris particularly well adapted to insure free movement of the piston atthe lowermost position of piston operation where the wall 35 is mostclosely contracted as well as to insure a complete contact where thewall of the chamber is greatest in diameter, namely, at the upper end ofthe piston stroke.

To insure a perfect contact at all times the washer 45 is free tofioatin a lateral direction so that the feather edge is' in completecontact with the wall 35 at all times. The feather edge permitsconstriction of the edge alone at the bottom of the stroke without unduesticking or any undue increase in friction.

It is also significant to note that because the breadth of the washerbetween the flat facu 46 and 41 is less than the breadth of the openannular recess 44, the washer is free to shift longitudinally in therecess. The different positions of the washerV with respect to therecess are illustrated in Figures 3V and 4. In both positions there willbe a suiiicient seal between the respective face of the washer and thecorresponding wall of the open recess 44. These factors contributematerially to the freedom of movement of the pump piston in the chamber.A shoulder 5I ori the exterior of the upper part 40 of the piston isadapted to limit movement of the piston in an outward direction.

For mounting the pump cylinder and piston upon the bottle the cylinderis provided with a projection 55 adapted to iit into a suitable recessin a resilient cap washer 58. The washer in turn may be provided withridges 51 adapted to accommodate the washer to corresponding depressionson the neck of the bottle. An outwardly flared portion 58 on the capwasher permits it to be readily applied over the necks of bottles ofvarying sizes. Outside of the cap washer is a hollow cap 59 which ntssmoothly around the upper' portion of the cap washer but around thelower portion provides a space 5I) within which the cap washer 'mayexpand when the neck of the bottle is larger than usual. An air intake6I is provided in the upper wall of the cylinder so as to eliminate anytendency of a vacuum to form as the pump cylinder moves in and out.

n the upper face of the cap 5I is an aperture 65 in which is sealed anannular ring 88. This ring may also have a sealed junction with theflange 55- on the top of the cylinder. The ring has a smooth innersurface 61 providing l. smooth sliding fit for the upper part of thepiston.

At the top of the piston there is provided n repiston Il' and the valveretainer 3l. As has been previously noted, the valve retainer isconstructed with projections 33 interiitting with recesses 34 at thebottom of the pump cylinder. By operation of these devices the valveretainer is nonyrotatably associated with the pump cylinder. A

spring "i is coiled to such a size that the lower end has a snugirictional engagement with the valve retainer.

Under ordinary circumstances the piston is not only free to reciprocateendwise but also is entirely free to rotate with respect to the pumpcylinder. Under such circumstances the spout I8 would be continuallygetting out of alignment with the off -set end of the inlet tube. Suchbeing the case the oit-set end would not dip into the corner of thebottle during pumping at a near empty condition of the bottle. Thespring connection therefore between the spout and piston combination andthe assembly comprising the inlet tube and the pump cylinder is adaptedto maintain such an eiective alignment,

To connect the spring to the piston the piston part M is provided with agently tapered recess le at the bottom slightly smaller in interiordiameter than the exterior diameter of the spring. The upper end of thespring can therefore be forced into the recess and because the springcan be forced rotatably against the frictional effect the direction ofthe spout permits proper alignment with respect to the projection 33.Then when the piston, the spring, and the valve retainer are assembledwith the pump cylinder the spout will be in alignment with the oit-setend 2&5 of the inlet spout. If there should be some slight misalignmentthe alignment can be restored by holding the inlet tube and then byforcing the inlet spout rotatably a distance sumcient to reestablish thealignment.

n slightly modified type of structure for the pump chamber isillustrated in Figure 7. there shown there is provided a pump cylinderwherein a barrel Sil is provided with a fitting 8| at the bottom towhich is attached the inlet tube lf3. The iitting is provided with arecess 82 terminating in a recess 33 of smaller bore which is connectedby means of a passage 84 to the inlet tube. The bottom of the recess 83provides a valve set fora ball check 85.

In this form a coiled spring l5 is normally of an outside diameter lessthan the inside diameter of the upper end of the recess 82 but ofgreater diameter than the lower end ofthe recess. The spring l5 cantherefor be forced into the recess and lower coils l5" reduced slightlyin diameter to provide a friction ilt betweenthe spring and the tting8l. It is contemplated that a similar relationship may be employed atthe upper end of the spring instead of the relationship shown in Figurel at the top.

To prevent the ball check from falling out of position a lcwerrnost coil36 of the spring is bent over the location of the ball.

In this form of the device the spring l5 is frictionally engaged in arecess not only at the top section oi said bore within 'let and anannular recess -but also at the bottom. The frictionalfengagement of thespring with the pump cylinder at the bottom and with the plunger orpiston at the top connects these two parts together substantiallynon-rotatably so that the spout i t may be maintained in alignment withthe off-set portion 26 of the inlet tube. Inasrnuch as the connectionbetween the spring and the pump parts is not rigid the pump parts may beforcibly rotated one with respect to the other until the spout and theinlet tube are in proper alignment, should they become misaligned at anytime.

It will be clear from the foregoing description that there has beenprovided a compact inexpensive manually operated pump which can bereadily applied to and removed from containers such as narrow-neckedbottles. The parts are so designed moreover that virtually all ofV theparts can becast from some one of the accepted commercial types ofplastic by conventional molding methods. Once the proper relationship isestablished all parts will operate effectively and consistently withoutthe necessity of holding extremely close tolerances.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I haveconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of myinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as'to embrace anyand all equivalent devices.

The invention having been herein described, what we claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' l.. A pump comprising a pump cylinder having a bore tapered inwardlyfrom the outer toward the inner end, an inlet to bore having a valvetherein, and a piston reciprocably mounted in said inwardly tapered borecomprising a tube having an outlet at the outer end thereof a valveadjacent the outlet, saidpntcn having an annular recess in the outersurface oi iixed breadth and depth comprising a bottoni wall and sidewalls, and an annular pump washer in said annular recess oi resilientmaterial having 'an internal diameter greater than the diameter rof allportions of the bottom wall of the recess,

a breadth less than the breadth of the recess at all portions of theside walls a relatively sharp annular edge greater in external diameterthan the internal diameter of the largest the range of piston operation,the external surfaces of washer having a progressively varying cicontact with the bore throughout the inw tapered portion duringreciproca-tion of the piston.

2. A pump cylinder having' a bore tapered inwardly from the outer towardthe inner end, an inlet to said bore having a valve therein and a pistonreciprocably mounted in said bore, said piston comprising a tube havingan outlet at the outer end thereof, a valve adjacent the outin the outersurface of the tube of xed breadth and depth having parallel walls and acylindrical bottom, and an annular flat faced floating pump washer ofresilient material in said annular recess, said pump washer having aninterior cylindrical concentric wall having a diameter greater than thediameter at the bottom of the recess, a breadth between the flat facesless than the breadth of the recess and an oblique outer face pitched toform a relatively sharp edge adjacent one dat face, the diameter of saidsharp edge being greater than asuma 7 the internal diameter of thelargest section of said bore within the range of piston operation.

3. A pump comprising a pump cylinder having a bore tapered inwardly fromthe outer toward the inner end, an inlet to said bore having a valvetherein and a piston reciprocably mounted in said bore, said pistoncomprising a tube having one part including an outlet at the outer endthereof and a valve adjacent the outlet and another part at the end ofthe piston remote from the outlet, one of said parts having a recess inthe outer wall and the other of said parts having a recess in the innerwall shorter in length than said recess in the outer wall, said partshaving a telescoped engagement providing an open annular exterior recessof fixed breadth and depth, and an annular floating pump washer in saidannular recess of resilient material having an inner diameter greaterthan the diameter at the bottom of less than the breadth of the openrecess and a relatively sharp annular edge at the outermost perimeter ofthe washer greater in diameter than the internal diameter of the largestsectionv of said bore within the range of piston operation.

4. A hand actuated dispenser pump comprising a support adapted to engagethe open end of a liquid container, a pump cylinder engaging saidsupport having a bore tapered inwardly from the outer toward the innerend, an inlet to said bore having a gravity responsive check valvetherein and a piston reciprccably mounted in said bore comprising atube, a delivery spout on the tube having a discharge passage thereincommunicating with the bore and a gravity responsive valve between thetube and the delivery spout, said tube having an annular recess adjacentthe inner end of i'lxed breadth and depth, and an annular floating pumpWasher in said annular recess of resilient material having paralllelflat faces on the inner and outer sides, an internal diameter greaterthan the diameter of the tube at the bottom of the recess, a thicknessbetween said faces less than the breadth of the recess and an obliqueouter face on the portion only of said washer located outside the recesspitched to form a relatively sharp edge at the nat face at one side onlygreater in external diameter than the internal diameter of the largestsection of said bore within the range of piston operation.

5. A dispenser pump for open ended containers comprising a pumpcylinder, an ofi-set intake tube in communication with the cylinder andextending endwise therefrom, a piston freely rotatable with respect toand reciprocably mounted in the cylinder, a transversely disposed spouton the piston, means for mounting said cylinder on the open end of thecontainer, a retainer at the bottom of the pump cylinder comprising atleast one pair of interiitting elements respectively on the retainer andthe cylinder, a coiled spring frictionally engaged at one end with saidretain- I er, said spring having at the other end a fricthe open recess,a breadth tional grip on the piston forming thereby a connection betweenthe piston and the pump cylinder whereby the spout and the intake tubeare maintained in alignment.

6. A hand actuated dispenser pump for open ended containers comprising apump cylinder, an oset intake tube in communication with the cylinderand extending endwise therefrom for reaching a bottom corner of thecontainer, a piston freely rotatable with respect to and reciprocablymounted in the cylinder, a transversely disposed spout on the piston andmeans for mounting said cylinder on the open end o1 the container, saidcylinder having a bottom piece iitted thereto, a valve retainer adjacentthe bottom piece having a check valve element therein, at least one pairof interiitting slots and projections between the bottom piece and theretainer, and a coiled spring frictionally engaging the retainer and thepiston forming thereby a rotation resistant connection between thepiston and the pump cylinder whereby the spout and the offset intaketube are maintained in alignment.

'7. A hand actuated dispenser pump for open ended containers comprisinga pump cylinder, an intake tube in communication with the cylinder andextending endwise therefrom, said tube having an offset intake end forreaching a bottom corner of the container, a piston freely rotatablewith respect to and reciprocably mounted in the cylinder, a transverselyextending spout fixed on the piston having a gravity responsive checkvalve therein and sealing means for mounting said cylinder on the openend of the container, a valve retainer at the bottom of the pumpcylinder having a gravity responsive check valve element therein,interfitting slots and projections between the retainerand the cylinder,a coiled spring in frictional engagement at one end with said retainerand a tapered recess in the piston providing a Irlctional grip on theother end of the spring forming thereby a resilient connection betweenthe piston and the pump cylinder whereby the spout and the offset end ofthe intake tube are maintained in mutual alignment.

"D" FLAV IUS BACHELLER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,489,172 Symons Apr. 1, 1924 2,038,778 Williams Apr. 28, 19362,136,263 Holmes Ncv. 8, 1938 2,208,620 Baisch July 23, 1940 2,362,080Martin Nov. 7, 1944 2,435,527 Arpin Feb. 3, 1948 2,444,119 Thorn June29, i948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 276,192 Great Britain Aug.25, 1927

